Today’s Solutions: November 24, 2024

Medicine

From advancements in the fight against malaria to new cancer treatments, to novel medical technologies, find all positive news about incredible medical breakthroughs and life-saving technology from all corners of the globe.

British Columbia

British Columbia decriminalizes small amounts of drugs to reduce deaths

Opioid-related deaths linked to fentanyl have more than doubled in Canada over the last five years. British Columbia has been one the hardest-hit regions, with deaths spiking during the Pandemic, and has asked for federal permission to decriminalize drugs.  The government is now launching an Read More...

Man in grey t shirt isolated against yellow background smelling something stinky and disgusting.

New study sniffs out cause of parosmia, disordered smells

What’s your favorite smell? Is it the whiff of freshly ground coffee in the morning or blossoms in spring? Whatever it may be, imagine a world where this sense is distorted and sometimes disturbing. This is the reality for people living with parosmia, a disease that can turn the smell of freshly Read More...

Heart research

BU-led team aims to treat heart disease by growing new heart tissue

The heart is arguably the hardest-working and most important organ in the body. Starting the moment it’s formed in the womb the heart has to keep working for the rest of our lives. What’s more daunting is that the heart can’t repair itself. Once a ventricle or aorta is damaged, the heart just Read More...

Overhead view of brown chicken eggs in an open egg carton isolated on a yellow background.

Study shows how eggs could make our hearts healthier

Eggs are delicious and diverse foods. You can scramble, fry, bake, or poach then, depending on your mood. Not only do they taste great, but they are also an excellent source of dietary protein, cholesterol, and a variety of essential nutrients. There have been numerous papers looking at the Read More...

Medication Gels

Plant-based-oil gel helps the medicine go down

It isn’t just children who can have trouble swallowing pills. Some adults find it difficult too, for example, adults who have suffered a stroke and need certain medications.  Researchers from MIT and Brigham and Women’s Hospital developed a drug-delivering gel that is easier to swallow and Read More...

Group of llamas with white coats looking into the camera.

Llamas could be the answer to cell-specific medication in humans

We all know llamas as those funny-looking animals at the petting zoo or from pictures of them grazing on Machu Picchu, but did you know they could also inspire the next generation of medicine in humans. In “proof of concept” experiments, researchers have created tiny proteins derived from llama Read More...

Dance Therapy

Dance the cough away: how Kyrgyzstan folk dance treats COPD

Chronic pulmonary obstructive disease (COPD) is a very common and also treatable lung disease that can be caused by pollution and smoking. It is preventable, and there are many medications for it, but some medical professionals believe that this doesn’t go far enough to treat the Read More...

Cardiogram report, red decorative heart, and stethoscope on table.

Scientists use diabetes medication to treat heart disease

Our bodies have to regulate many processes daily: temperature, hydration, mineral balance, sugar levels, and many more. When these regulating processes get out of whack, this can lead to diseases and other serious health complications. This is exactly what happens in diabetes, where specialized Read More...

Two doctors having discussion about patient diagnosis, examining viral infection or pneumonia lesion on Chest X-ray film in hospital.

This AI could be a gamechanger for patients with lung problems

While we are largely out of the worst parts of the Pandemic, some of the lasting effects of COVID-19 can still be felt, especially in the lungs of those who endured the virus. Studies have found that lasting harm can be left from having the disease and scientists have had a hard time visualizing Read More...

Lab Mouse

Successful treatment with mice shows promise of new spinal injury drug

Spinal cord injuries can be debilitating and change a person’s life with a partial or full loss of movement. In the US, there are an estimated 17,500 new spinal cord injuries every year, and there are currently no mainstream ways to reverse these injuries.  Researchers at the University of Read More...